And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.
ISAIAH 23:15KJVWhat does Isaiah 23:15 mean?
Isaiah 23:15 says that the city of Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, which is compared to the lifetime of one king, and after those seventy years, Tyre will return in a way described as singing like a harlot. This verse predicts a long period when Tyre will lose its fame and influence, but after that time, it will try to regain attention in a way that is not dignified.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people about the future of Tyre, a wealthy and influential port city. The "seventy years" suggests a fixed, complete period of decline, and the comparison to "one king" means a single reign or era. The image of Tyre "singing as a harlot" is a vivid way to say that after being forgotten, Tyre will seek to attract others again, but not with honor or respect.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 23:15
- "forgotten" (שָׁכַח, shakach): This word means to be neglected or no longer remembered. Its use here highlights how completely Tyre will fade from people’s minds during this period.
- "seventy" (שִׁבְעִים, shiv'im) and "years" (שָׁנָה, shanah): The number seventy often symbolizes completeness or a full measure of time in the Hebrew Bible, not always a literal count.
- "sing" (שִׁיר, shir) and "harlot" (זָנָה, zanah): The phrase "sing as a harlot" uses the image of a prostitute singing to attract customers, showing that Tyre’s return will be marked by a desperate attempt to regain lost business and attention, not by restoring its former glory.
Why Isaiah 23:15 matters
- Isaiah 23:15 clarifies that Tyre’s downfall is not permanent, but its comeback will lack dignity, showing a cycle of pride, judgment, and a troubled return.
- The verse connects to the larger prophecy against Tyre in Isaiah 23, where the city’s wealth and trade are judged by God, and its future is described in vivid, memorable images.
- The specific mention of "seventy years" helps readers see that God’s plans have set times and purposes, and that even powerful cities are not beyond losing their influence.